E-BOOKS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARIES: Are We There Yet?

Demands for school technology innovations, implementation of 1:1 device models, and increased interest in digital media highlight complicated issues such as funding, equity, and decision making for e-book collection development and programming in school libraries. School librarians considering purchase of e-books for school libraries still cannot follow a clear or consistent track through this uncertain e-book terrain. With multiple purchasing, delivery, and device options, school libraries can choose to partner with public libraries, purchase e-books from varied providers, or intentionally select the option of waiting until e-book use becomes more straightforward. Unfortunately 1:1 environments do not eliminate all e-book borrowing challenges for school libraries. Librarians, administrators, curriculum teams, and district technology leaders must collaborate to engineer smart, relevant policies for school library routes through e-book landscapes.